Population justification: The global population is estimated to number c.460,000-800,000 individuals (Wetlands International, 2006), while national population estimates include: c.1,000-10,000 individuals on migration and c.50-1,000 wintering individuals in China; c.1,000-10,000 individuals on migration and c.50-10,000 wintering individuals in Taiwan; c.50-10,000 individuals on migration in Korea; c.1,000-10,000 individuals on migration and c.50-1,000 wintering individuals in Japan and c.10,000-100,000 breeding pairs and c.1,000-10,000 individuals on migration in Russia (Brazil 2009).

Trend justification: The overall population trend is decreasing, although some populations have unknown trends (Wetlands International 2006), and in North America the trend is increasing (based on BBS/CBC data: Butcher and Niven 2007).

Country/Territory distribution

Country/Territory

Occurrence status

Presence

Breeding

Non-breeding

Passage

Resident

Afghanistan

Native

Extant

Yes

Albania

Native

Extant

Algeria

Native

Extant

American Samoa

Native

Extant

Angola

Native

Extant

Anguilla (to UK)

Native

Extant

Antigua and Barbuda

Native

Extant

Argentina

Native

Extant

Armenia

Native

Extant

Aruba (to Netherlands)

Native

Extant

Australia

Native

Extant

Austria

Native

Extant

Azerbaijan

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Bahamas

Native

Extant

Bahrain

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Bangladesh

Native

Extant

Barbados

Native

Extant

Belarus

Vagrant

Extant

Belgium

Native

Extant

Yes

Belize

Native

Extant

Yes

Benin

Native

Extant

Bermuda (to UK)

Native

Extant

Bolivia

Native

Extant

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (to Netherlands)

Native

Extant

Botswana

Native

Extant

Brazil

Native

Extant

British Indian Ocean Territory

Native

Extant

Brunei

Native

Extant

Bulgaria

Native

Extant

Yes

Burkina Faso

Native

Extant

Burundi

Native

Extant

Cambodia

Native

Extant

Cameroon

Native

Extant

Canada

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Cape Verde

Native

Extant

Cayman Islands (to UK)

Native

Extant

Chad

Native

Extant

Chile

Native

Extant

China (mainland)

Native

Extant

Christmas Island (to Australia)

Native

Extant

Cocos (Keeling) Islands (to Australia)

Native

Extant

Colombia

Native

Extant

Comoros

Native

Extant

Congo

Native

Extant

Congo, The Democratic Republic of the

Native

Extant

Cook Islands

Native

Extant

Costa Rica

Native

Extant

Yes

Côte d'Ivoire

Native

Extant

Croatia

Native

Extant

Cuba

Native

Extant

Curaçao (to Netherlands)

Native

Extant

Cyprus

Native

Extant

Yes

Czech Republic

Native

Extant

Denmark

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Djibouti

Native

Extant

Dominica

Native

Extant

Dominican Republic

Native

Extant

Ecuador

Native

Extant

Egypt

Native

Extant

El Salvador

Native

Extant

Equatorial Guinea

Native

Extant

Eritrea

Native

Extant

Estonia

Native

Extant

Yes

Ethiopia

Native

Extant

Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

Native

Extant

Faroe Islands (to Denmark)

Native

Extant

Yes

Fiji

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Finland

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

France

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

French Guiana

Native

Extant

French Polynesia

Native

Extant

French Southern Territories

Native

Extant

Gabon

Native

Extant

Gambia

Native

Extant

Georgia

Native

Extant

Germany

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Ghana

Native

Extant

Gibraltar (to UK)

Native

Extant

Yes

Greece

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Greenland (to Denmark)

Native

Extant

Yes

Grenada

Native

Extant

Guadeloupe (to France)

Native

Extant

Yes

Guam (to USA)

Native

Extant

Yes

Guatemala

Native

Extant

Guinea

Native

Extant

Guinea-Bissau

Native

Extant

Guyana

Native

Extant

Haiti

Native

Extant

Honduras

Native

Extant

Hong Kong (China)

Native

Extant

Hungary

Native

Extant

Iceland

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

India

Native

Extant

Indonesia

Native

Extant

Iran, Islamic Republic of

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Iraq

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Ireland

Native

Extant

Yes

Israel

Native

Extant

Italy

Native

Extant

Yes

Jamaica

Native

Extant

Yes

Japan

Native

Extant

Jordan

Native

Extant

Yes

Kazakhstan

Native

Extant

Kenya

Native

Extant

Kiribati

Native

Extant

Kuwait

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Kyrgyzstan

Native

Extant

Latvia

Native

Extant

Yes

Lebanon

Native

Extant

Yes

Lesotho

Vagrant

Extant

Liberia

Native

Extant

Libya

Native

Extant

Liechtenstein

Vagrant

Extant

Lithuania

Native

Extant

Luxembourg

Vagrant

Extant

Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of

Native

Extant

Yes

Madagascar

Native

Extant

Malawi

Native

Extant

Malaysia

Native

Extant

Maldives

Native

Extant

Mali

Native

Extant

Malta

Native

Extant

Marshall Islands

Native

Extant

Yes

Martinique (to France)

Native

Extant

Mauritania

Native

Extant

Mauritius

Native

Extant

Mayotte (to France)

Native

Extant

Mexico

Native

Extant

Micronesia, Federated States of

Native

Extant

Yes

Mongolia

Native

Extant

Montenegro

Native

Extant

Montserrat (to UK)

Native

Extant

Morocco

Native

Extant

Mozambique

Native

Extant

Myanmar

Native

Extant

Namibia

Native

Extant

Nauru

Native

Extant

Nepal

Native

Extant

Netherlands

Native

Extant

Yes

New Caledonia (to France)

Native

Extant

New Zealand

Native

Extant

Nicaragua

Native

Extant

Niger

Native

Extant

Nigeria

Native

Extant

Niue (to New Zealand)

Native

Extant

Norfolk Island (to Australia)

Native

Extant

North Korea

Native

Extant

Northern Mariana Islands (to USA)

Native

Extant

Yes

Norway

Native

Extant

Yes

Oman

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Pakistan

Native

Extant

Palau

Native

Extant

Yes

Palestinian Authority Territories

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Panama

Native

Extant

Papua New Guinea

Native

Extant

Paraguay

Vagrant

Extant

Peru

Native

Extant

Philippines

Native

Extant

Poland

Native

Extant

Portugal

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Puerto Rico (to USA)

Native

Extant

Qatar

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Réunion (to France)

Native

Extant

Romania

Native

Extant

Russia (Asian)

Native

Extant

Yes

Russia (Central Asian)

Native

Extant

Yes

Russia (European)

Native

Extant

Yes

Rwanda

Vagrant

Extant

Samoa

Native

Extant

São Tomé e Príncipe

Native

Extant

Saudi Arabia

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Senegal

Native

Extant

Serbia

Native

Extant

Seychelles

Native

Extant

Sierra Leone

Native

Extant

Singapore

Native

Extant

Sint Maarten (to Netherlands)

Native

Extant

Slovakia

Native

Extant

Slovenia

Vagrant

Extant

Solomon Islands

Native

Extant

Somalia

Native

Extant

South Africa

Native

Extant

South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands

Native

Extant

South Korea

Native

Extant

South Sudan

Native

Extant

Yes

Spain

Native

Extant

Yes

Sri Lanka

Native

Extant

St Helena (to UK)

Native

Extant

St Kitts and Nevis

Native

Extant

St Lucia

Native

Extant

St Martin (to France)

Native

Extant

Yes

St Pierre and Miquelon (to France)

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Native

Extant

Sudan

Native

Extant

Suriname

Native

Extant

Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands (to Norway)

Native

Extant

Yes

Swaziland

Vagrant

Extant

Sweden

Native

Extant

Yes

Switzerland

Native

Extant

Taiwan (China)

Native

Extant

Tajikistan

Native

Extant

Tanzania

Native

Extant

Thailand

Native

Extant

Timor-Leste

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Togo

Native

Extant

Tokelau (to New Zealand)

Native

Extant

Tonga

Native

Extant

Trinidad and Tobago

Native

Extant

Tunisia

Native

Extant

Yes

Turkey

Native

Extant

Yes

Turkmenistan

Native

Extant

Turks and Caicos Islands (to UK)

Native

Extant

Tuvalu

Native

Extant

Uganda

Native

Extant

Ukraine

Native

Extant

Yes

United Arab Emirates

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

United Kingdom

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

United States Minor Outlying Islands (to USA)

Native

Extant

Yes

Uruguay

Native

Extant

Yes

USA

Native

Extant

Yes

Uzbekistan

Native

Extant

Vanuatu

Native

Extant

Venezuela

Native

Extant

Vietnam

Native

Extant

Virgin Islands (to UK)

Native

Extant

Yes

Virgin Islands (to USA)

Native

Extant

Yes

Western Sahara

Native

Extant

Yemen

Native

Extant

Yes

Yes

Zambia

Native

Extant

Zimbabwe

Native

Extant

Important Bird Areas where this species has triggered the IBA criteria

Country/Territory

IBA Name

IBA link

Canada

Foxe Basin Islands

Costa Rica

Nicoya Gulf mangroves and coastal areas

Costa Rica

Sierpe Wetlands and Osa Peninsula

France

Anse du Fiers d'Ars en Ré

France

Baie de Goulven

France

Baie de Quiberon

France

Baies de Morlaix et de Carantec

France

Traicts et marais salants de la Presqu'île Guérandaise

French Guiana

Ile de Cayenne

French Guiana

Littoral

French Guiana

Littoral Kourou

French Guiana

Littoral Macouria

French Guiana

Littoral Sinnamary

French Guiana

Plaine Kaw et Pointe Béhague

Gambia

Tanji River (Karinti) Bird Reserve

Guinea-Bissau

Arquipélago dos Bijagós

Guinea-Bissau

Ilha de Bolama - Rio Grande de Buba

Guinea-Bissau

Rio Mansôa and Gêba estuary

Guinea-Bissau

Rio Tombali, Rio Cumbijã and Ilha de Melo

Iceland

Álftanes-Akrar

Iceland

Melrakkaslétta

Iceland

Skerjafjördur

Iceland

Stafnes-Gardur

Iran, Islamic Republic of

Miankaleh Peninsula and Gorgan Bay

Iran, Islamic Republic of

South Caspian shore, from Astara to Gomishan

Ireland

Mid Clare Coast including Mutton and Mattle Islands

Japan

Awase tidal flat

Japan

Ikawazu tidal flat

Japan

Inner Tokyo bay

Japan

Lake Furen, On-netou

Japan

Notsuke, Odaitou

Japan

Shiokawa tidal flat

Japan

Yaeyama islands

Malaysia

Sadong-Saribas coast

Mauritania

Banc d'Arguin National Park

Mauritania

Cap Blanc

Morocco

Dakhla area

Morocco

Région Jorf Lasfar

Namibia

30-Kilometre Beach: Walvis - Swakopmund

Namibia

Sandwich Harbour

Namibia

Walvis Bay

Netherlands

Balgzand

Netherlands

Oosterschelde

Netherlands

Wadden Sea

Oman

Barr al Hikman

Oman

Masirah island

Portugal

Ria Formosa (Faro lagoon)

Puerto Rico (to USA)

Jobos Bay

Puerto Rico (to USA)

Suroeste

Saudi Arabia

Farasan Islands

Saudi Arabia

Jiddah south corniche and port

Saudi Arabia

Jizan Bay

Saudi Arabia

Sabkhat al-Fasl lagoons

Saudi Arabia

Tarut Bay

Senegal

Delta du Saloum

Senegal

Joal-Fadiouth

Seychelles

Aldabra atoll

Seychelles

Cosmoledo atoll

South Africa

Dassen Island

South Africa

Swartkops Estuary - Redhouse and Chatty Saltpans

South Africa

West Coast National Park and Saldanha Bay islands

South Korea

Dongjin estuary

South Korea

Mangyeong estuary

Sweden

Coastal areas of eastern Gotland island

Sweden

Holmöarna archipelago

Sweden

Outer Stockholm archipelago

Tunisia

Kneiss

Ukraine

Syvash Bay

United Kingdom

East Sanday

United Kingdom

Firth of Forth

United Kingdom

Guernsey Shoreline

United Kingdom

Isles of Scilly

United Kingdom

Jersey Shoreline

United Kingdom

Mid-Essex Coast

United Kingdom

Morecambe Bay

United Kingdom

North Norfolk Coast

United Kingdom

Northumbria Coast

United Kingdom

Outer Ards

United Kingdom

Rosehearty to Fraserburgh Coast

United Kingdom

South Down Coast

United Kingdom

South Uist Machair and Lochs

United Kingdom

Stour and Orwell Estuaries

United Kingdom

Thanet Coast and Sandwich Bay

United Kingdom

The Wash

United Kingdom

The Wash

United Kingdom

Tiree and Coll

United Kingdom

Uists Machairs, Lochs and Coast

USA

Delaware Bayshore Region

USA

Delaware Coastal Zone

USA

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Habitats & altitude

Habitat (level 1)

Habitat (level 2)

Importance

Occurrence

Grassland

Tundra

major

breeding

Marine Intertidal

Mud Flats and Salt Flats

suitable

non-breeding

Marine Intertidal

Rocky Shoreline

suitable

non-breeding

Marine Intertidal

Salt Marshes (Emergent Grasses)

suitable

non-breeding

Marine Intertidal

Sandy Shoreline and/or Beaches, Sand Bars, Spits, Etc

suitable

non-breeding

Marine Intertidal

Shingle and/or Pebble Shoreline and/or Beaches

suitable

non-breeding

Marine Intertidal

Tidepools

suitable

non-breeding

Marine Neritic

Estuaries

suitable

non-breeding

Wetlands (inland)

Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands

suitable

breeding

Wetlands (inland)

Permanent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha)

suitable

non-breeding

Wetlands (inland)

Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls)

suitable

non-breeding

Wetlands (inland)

Seasonal/Intermittent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha)

suitable

non-breeding

Wetlands (inland)

Tundra Wetlands (incl. pools and temporary waters from snowmelt)

major

breeding

Altitude

0 - 0 m

Occasional altitudinal limits

Threats & impact

Threat (level 1)

Threat (level 2)

Impact and Stresses

Climate change & severe weather

Habitat shifting & alteration

Timing

Scope

Severity

Impact

Future

Whole (>90%)

Unknown

Unknown

Stresses

Indirect ecosystem effects, Ecosystem degradation

Utilisation

Purpose

Primary form used

Life stage used

Source

Scale

Level

Timing

Food (human)

Whole

Adults and juveniles

Wild

Subsistence, National

Non-trivial

Recent

Pets

Whole

Adults and juveniles

Wild

International

Non-trivial

Recent

Sport

Whole

Adults and juveniles

Wild

Subsistence, National

Non-trivial

Recent

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2015) Species factsheet: Arenaria interpres. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 31/03/2015.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2015) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 31/03/2015.

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000)
Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004)
Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife